30 Reasons Why You Should Move to New Haven

We recently came across an article listing thirty reasons why people should move to New Haven, Connecticut; some suggestions are historical, some fun, some boastful, some delicious, some personal choices as related by a local citizen.  We wholeheartedly agreed with all thirty, maybe not in the order listed, and there are many additional facilities we would have included or substituted.  This post will be published in three parts.  After you get through all thirty we’ll reveal our #1 personal choice of why, and where, to live in New Haven.

1. New Haven Is The Ivy League – Of Good Times.

One of the top schools in the nation, Yale University attracts some brilliant people to New Haven, making the city an academic hub.  But don’t let the neo-gothic architecture, the ivy on the buildings, and the smarty-pants people fool you into thinking the city is too cerebral to have fun.  New Haven is an extremely exciting place in which to play; the art and music scene, excellent theater and sports, and amazing restaurants are just some of the things New Haven residents, Yale students and professors get to enjoy.

2.  “The Game”

The Yale Bowl, Yale University’s football stadium, is the largest University-owned football stadium in the nation by capacity, necessary to accommodate the thousands of spectators who attend every football game played there.  The biggest draw, of course, is the famous Harvard-Yale game at the end of November, one of the city’s highlights of the year, with a rivalry that goes back to 1875.   In fact, it’s the oldest rivalry in College Football.

3.  Grab A Slice Of The Best APizza Anywhere

New Haven-style pizza, locally called apizza, is a style of Neapolitan pizza that separates the men from the boys.  The best-known restaurants for authenticity are Frank Pepe’s , Modern Apizza, and Sally’s.

4.  New Haven And The Search For The Perfect Gooey, Buttery, Grilled Cheese Sandwich

It’s a known fact that if you’re a true Nutmegger you love a good grilled cheese sandwich, preferably one of the gourmet varieties offered, believe it or not, from the famous Cheese Truck, an off-shoot of the brick and mortar Caseus Fromagerie Bistro on Trumbull Street.  The truck can be found moving from place to place around the city.  If you get lucky enough to catch it, choose a grilled cheese with either comté, gruyére, parmesan, gouda or sharp cheddar, all of which are exceptionally delicious melted on buttered sourdough bread and sprinkled with sage.

5. The Yale University Art Gallery

The oldest college art museum in America, this phenomenal art gallery holds 200,000 pieces of art dating from ancient times to the present day, plus art exhibits from all over the world.  Making the art-going experience more enjoyable, admission is always free to the public.

6.   Broadway-Quality Theater Productions At Yale Repertory

The Yale Repertory Theatre at Yale University is located at the edge of Yale’s main downtown campus on the former site of the Calvary Baptist Church.  Founded in 1996, its’ goal was to facilitate collaboration between theatre professionals and talented students, and is today considered to be one of the first distinguished regional theatres.  With valid Yale student ID, admission is only $10.00 a ticket, and offers similarly affordable prices for the general public.

7.  Live Concerts At The Shubert Theater

From its very first season a century ago, the Shubert Theatre has been a performing arts center presenting plays, musicals, opera, dance, classical music recitals and concerts, vaudeville, jazz artists, big bands, burlesque, and a variety of solo performances.  Often referred to as the birthplace of the nation’s greatest hits, the Shubert is responsible for a number of long-run productions that first came to life on the Shubert stage through its’ ‘try-out’ tradition.

8. The Symphony Orchestra At Woolsey Hall

You wouldn’t want to miss any of the exciting performance at Woolsey Hall when living in New Haven.  A truly breath-taking space, it serves as the main performance venue for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the Yale Bands, the Yale Symphony Orchestra, the Yale Philharmonic, the Yale Glee Club, and also accommodates many smaller student-run ensembles such a cappella singing groups.

9.  The Best Dive Venue In Connecticut: Toad’s Place

Toad’s Place is a musical venue where Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, U2 and Bob Dylan have played, some prior to becoming famous, and others after having made it.  This club is especially popular with Yalies, who come to hear the bands, dance, drink, socialize and, in many instances, mingle with the performers after they leave the stage.  Relatively inexpensive, free admission is frequently offered and you might want to ask one of the ‘regulars’ how to go about getting those passes.

10.  Grab A Falafel At 2:00am

Mamoun’s is the place to be on the weekend.  Open late, it’s the only place in New Haven to get your falafel fix at 2:30 in the morning.  Plus, you can also order from their extensive hookah menu.  This is Mamoun’s first ‘sit-down’ restaurant, indoor and outdoor, in a chain of restaurants that seems to favor College towns.